Chapter 209: Blue Star Sect, Disaster in the Whispering Expanse True World
Elton and company were currently situated some distance away in a makeshift tree house. Shayleaf, by proxy through the doll, had combined with Elton channeling some of his Nature magic to create it—though it still wasn't to her satisfaction.
In three directions, not far from their position, the Cherub Nation, the Purple Rumblings Martial Sect, and the Olgar Clan each kept watch over them.
"Brother Elly, I don't like this! It's too dangerous for you all to be left like this. On top of that, the situation here is so annoying! The way both those clans are fiercely trying to track you all—it hardly seems any different from targeting a sworn enemy!" Shayleaf complained bitterly.
"Well, I guess in hindsight the search method isn't much different when you think about it." Elton smiled wryly at the comparison. "Have you all reached Dusk Harrow yet?"
"Yes, we've finally reached that place," Shayleaf replied. "But the kingdom has become extremely wary because of all the large movements from outside forces—especially in the middle of this ongoing war. Still, there isn't much they can do besides relying on the strongest sect there, The Dusk Mountain Gate. Even so, we've yet to enter Grimhollow Valley."
"Looks like it's going to take a while for any reinforcements to reach us," Christy sighed, her gaze distant. "In fact, we aren't even completely sure of our location—only that we're in the southern central region, which is nearly as large as the entire southeast region of the continent."
"Hmm… no, I think I might be able to figure that out," Shayleaf said, closing her eyes in concentration. "I can sense the direction of my tree doll. Mmm… ah, here's a map. Let's see… that could be about right… certainly not beyond this area, or the connection would've weakened. Annnd—right there! There's a high chance that you're in one of two areas directly connected to Grimhollow Valley—an access point with a large opening between the southwestern region. You're either in the Tribal Dunlap Lands or the Old Blue Star Sect's Grave."
"So that's how it is. That's not too far away," Erica nodded thoughtfully.
"Hmm, that's certainly true," Christy agreed, scanning the terrain of dilapidated buildings overtaken by forestation. "If it's between those two areas, I'm about seventy percent certain we're in the Old Blue Star Sect's Grave."
"Old Blue Star Sect's Grave?" Elton asked, puzzled. "What exactly is that all about?"
"Ah, right. I suppose it makes sense that you wouldn't know," Erica began. "Generally, only nobles or historians know much about the continent's older sects and nations. El Onyem, outside of a few years of schooling back then, you were pretty much a wandering orphan…"
Her voice faltered, sadness flickering in her eyes. Elton simply smiled and patted her head.
"Picking up where Erri left off," Christy continued, "there are quite a few things you might not be aware of—especially since you've dedicated most of your time to training and living in the present. The Old Blue Star Sect was a thriving power some eight hundred years ago before it was dissolved after a disastrous war against five sects and two clans. There was even an internal conflict."
"It's believed the Almighty Red Star Empire orchestrated much of it, threatened by the sect's rapid growth and influence. Some even say the Blue Star Sect had a foothold in the Middle Continent, but suffered there as well. There are many speculations… but no one truly knows the truth."
Christy's eyes drifted toward the horizon, imagination swirling.
Elton sat quietly, digesting her words. A strange unease filled him. Somehow, being here—combined with the timing of the coming invasion—felt like part of a larger design. And when that thought took root, a familiar face came to mind.
"Heh… looks like you're finally catching on to something, you fool."
An arrogant, sarcastic voice echoed inside his mind.
"Are you implying Master may actually have something to do with this?" Elton asked inwardly.
"Hoooh… perhaps," the inner voice replied smugly. "But you're still missing the bigger picture. Why not let me take control? If it were me, I'd have already awakened the Eighth Meridian, maybe even begun the Sacred Ninth! Mortal Lords? Tch. That stage is merely the beginning of true cultivation. Right now, you're nothing but a cog in the wheel."
Elton had no answer for that. No argument that could refute it.
"Do either of you know anything else about the Blue Star Sect?" he asked aloud, looking to Christy and Erica.
"Ehh… not really," Erica admitted. "Actually, I don't think either of our clans were active on this continent at that time. If I remember correctly, the Aka Boshi no Tengan Clan only began appearing more openly around then. My Soloman Clan had already established a foothold and started expanding. Correct me if I'm wrong, Chrissy."
"Yes, you're right," Christy nodded. "I don't know all the details, but many of our ancestors migrated from the Iron Star Dominion around that time."
Elton simply nodded and decided to drop the topic. For now, there were more pressing matters at hand.
The Next Day
In the Whispering Expanse True World, the land was drowned in devastation. The original power structure had completely collapsed—especially within twenty-five miles of the entrance to the Whispering Expanse in the Pocket World. Even forty miles away, while not as ravaged by fire, chaos was everywhere.
At the heart of this ruin stood a massive demonic palace, surrounded by toppled towers, ruined districts, and empty streets. The city—once vibrant—was now half-abandoned, its skies thick with ash.
Nineteen different forces surrounded the stronghold, mercilessly pressing the native demons who fought to the last.
Among the attackers were warriors from the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect, the Great Brawlman Sect, the Soloman Clan, the Aka Boshi no Tengan Clan, and the Fae Grand Spirit Alliance.
Blood and death filled the air like a storm. Yet even as victory neared, the expressions of those experts were grim.
They pressed forward, cutting through waves of resistance—while already preparing to chase down those who had fled ahead.
…
65 miles away from the entrance, closing in on the true domain of the Purple Starmist Continent, the entire region lay in ruin — ripped apart by clashes so violent that the land itself seemed to bleed essence.
On one side stood a middle-aged man wearing the martial robes of the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect, a golden crown gleaming upon his head. In his hand shone a radiant golden sword, its edge humming with divine pressure. Behind him were twenty experts of his sect, all wielding swords of similar make. The man in front was none other than the Sect Master himself.
Four other forces stood with him.
One was the Aka Boshi no Tengan clan, ten members strong, among them the same experts who had appeared during the meeting about the Kokon Tengan awakening. Their leader was the Master Realm expert who had stood beside Pristine Master Christopher at that time. Pristine Master Regan Rojaheavens.
Next came the Soloman Clan, eleven in number, including Sir Yaga Soloman and several elders who had attended their own council's gathering.
The remaining two were the Great Brawlman Sect, represented by five hardened elites, and the Tai He Zong Sect, an eastern region power from the Desert Red Star Continent, bringing seven of their own.
Of them all, it was clear that the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect Master possessed the greatest might and authority.
Across from them stood six other great factions — a volatile coalition born of necessity rather than unity. Each faction had its own leader and army, and though they shared a common front against the invaders from Desert Red Star, their mutual distrust was palpable.
Among them stood the Demon Master, the very being who had long sought to capture "The Key." Though not the strongest of the six, his mere presence radiated danger. Even the other faction heads avoided standing too close, their alliances thin as spider silk.
Then, another man stepped forward — not the Demon Master, but one of the six leaders allied with him.
He was tall and sharply built, his orange skin gleaming beneath a constant haze of rolling smog. His black lips and nails glistened like ink, and long, tattered robes fluttered around him, seething with corrosive energy that warped the air. His very being seemed to hum with malignant power.
"I'll say this one last time," he hissed, voice low and venomous. "Leave this place, or face annihilation."
The Bright Brilliant Blade Sect Master met his gaze, unflinching. "That's amusing. You tell me to leave, when your Purple Starmist armies have already ravaged our lands? Why don't you hand over that man"—his sword pointed directly at the Demon Lord—"since he's clearly one of the main culprits."
"And what if I said no?" the orange-skinned man sneered, the smog swirling violently around him.
"Then you leave me no choice but to act," the Sect Master replied coldly. "Not merely as a sect leader—but as one avenging the near death of my junior brothers and junior sisters."
His eyes ignited with golden light, and an overwhelming sword intent erupted from him. The air buckled, the earth groaned, and even the skies dimmed under the pressure.
"Tch! I too am an Aetherial Master! Don't think you can move me, Golden Brilliance Sword Jinhyuk Bluescinos!" the orange-skinned man bellowed, his own aura exploding outward. The surrounding land quaked for miles as the two forces collided.
"Aetherial Master, you say?" Jinhyuk's tone was sharp, mocking. "Such a shaky foundation, and yet you dare call yourself that. You're nothing but excess aura held together by arrogance."
"We'll see whose foundation crumbles first!" the orange-skinned man roared.
With that, both sides surged forward, their forces erupting into a chaotic clash. Experts no lower than Late Stage Mortal Lord all the way to the Master Realm fought furiously, their combined strength tearing the land apart. The battlefield continuously changed locations and soon in one particular area collapsed into a chasm, creating a vast, yawning void that swallowed everything nearby.
From within that abyss, monstrous creatures stirred. Those unfortunate enough to be near the rift's mouth were shredded apart as the void expanded, bleeding chaos essence into the world.
Deeper within the void, sitting atop a black landmass, was a massive figure that looked like a humanoid buffalo. He sat still in meditation until suddenly his eyes snapped open and his Celestial Sense flooded toward the void's opening, stretching outward for miles as he scanned the fractured land beyond.
"Hmm… hehe… That bastard's trying to bait me—knowing full well it's too early. The moment I step out, those fools will sense me and hunt me down again. Still…" he smirked darkly, "…this might be the perfect chance to take care of a few things."
With that, his form flickered—
and the massive buffalo vanished without a trace.
Moments later, a giant shattering sound reverberated throughout the void. A horrific aura erupted, and a blinding white light burst outward, flooding the entire realm of darkness.
A distorted voice rang through the collapsing space, crackling and broken:
"Sacred… Expanse… Dominion… My treasured land… Who am I?! Ughh… Demons… Demonic Beasts… Humans… So many races… Argh!! The key… The key? I am the key? No… I was once part of the White Star's key… AH! I remember something! I can sense the old Master! I must find Master!"
Suddenly, a white beam of light tore through the distance, streaking out of the void and vanishing into the world beyond.
The humanoid buffalo had long been unaware of that being's existence—
and the one who had guided the void's collapse was equally unaware of the calamity he had just unleashed upon the future.